Monitoring method and system

ABSTRACT

A method and system ( 10 ) for directing relief to individuals ( 11 ) requiring emergency assistance includes each individual in a building ( 20 ) carrying a respective transponder ( 12 ). The transponders transmit a wireless emergency signal in response to actuation by an individual. A communication link ( 22 ) such as a local area network (LAN) runs throughout the building. Transceivers ( 14 ) located at known locations are connected to the link. Each transceiver has a unique identification and wirelessly receives an emergency signal transmitted by a transponder located within the vicinity of the transceiver. Each transceiver transmits the received emergency signal along with the unique transceiver identification to a controller ( 16 ) via the link. The controller processes a received emergency signal to determine the location of the individual requiring emergency assistance based on the unique identifications of the transceivers transmitting the emergency signal. The controller directs relief ( 19 ) to the determined location of the individual.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No.60/325,631, filed Sep. 27, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to monitoring methods andsystems and, more particularly, to a monitoring method and system formonitoring, for example, the location and identity of individuals withina building, for receiving a request for relief from an individual, andfor directing relief to the location of an individual requesting relief.

2. Background Art

Typical security and location methods and systems provide adetermination of the location of an individual in response to a distresssignal. A problem with such security and location methods and systems isthat they do not address all of the requirements for adaptation into abuilding such as a prison or a school. A further problem with suchsecurity and location methods and systems is that they do not make useof infrastructure presently contained in the building and requireadditional infrastructure to be added to the building for operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amonitoring method and system for monitoring the location and identity ofpeople or inanimate, movable objects within a building and for directingrelief to the location of an individual requesting relief or aninanimate object that requires service.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a monitoringmethod and system which uses the infrastructure presently contained in abuilding for monitoring the location and identity of individuals withinthe building for directing relief to the location of an individualrequesting relief.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a monitoringmethod and system in which transceivers are located at known locationsin a building for transmitting a status signal received from atransponder carried by an individual within the building to a controllerwhich then processes the status signal to determine the location of theindividual.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide amonitoring method and system in which transceivers are located at knownlocations in a building for transmitting a distress signal received froma transponder carried by a distressed individual within the building toa controller which then processes the distress signal to direct reliefto the location of the distressed individual.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide amonitoring method and system in which transceivers are located at knownlocations in a building for transmitting status signals received fromtransponders carried by individuals within the building to a controllerwhich then processes the status signals to determine the location andidentity of each individual.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide amonitoring method and system in which an individual within a buildingactivates a transponder to transmit a distress signal to a controllervia transceivers located at known locations within the building in orderfor the controller to direct relief to the location of the distressedindividual.

It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide amonitoring method and system in which transponders carried byindividuals within a building transmit status signals to a controllervia transceivers located at known locations within the building in orderfor the controller to monitor the location and identity of eachindividual.

In carrying out the above object and other objects, the presentinvention provides a system for directing relief to individuals in abuilding requiring emergency assistance. The system includes a pluralityof transponders. Each individual in the building carries a respectivetransponder. Each transponder transmits a wireless emergency signal inresponse to actuation by the individual carrying the transponder. A hardwired communication link such as a local area network (LAN) runsthroughout the building. A plurality of transceivers are located atknown locations within the building. Each transceiver is connected withthe communication link and each transceiver has a unique identification.Each transceiver wirelessly receives an emergency signal transmitted bya transponder located within the vicinity of the transceiver. Eachtransceiver transmits the received emergency signal along with theunique transceiver identification to the communication link.

A controller is connected with the communication link for receivingemergency signals transmitted from the transceivers. The controllerprocesses a received emergency signal to determine the location of theindividual within the building requiring emergency assistance based onthe unique identifications of the transceivers transmitting theemergency signal. The controller directs relief to the determinedlocation of the individual requiring emergency assistance. Thecontroller may direct relief by transmitting a paging signal to reliefpersonnel. The paging signal may include information indicative of thelocation of the individual requiring emergency assistance.

Each transponder may have a unique identification such that theindividual carrying the transponder is uniquely identified. In thisinstance, the wireless emergency signal transmitted by the transpondercontains the unique transponder identification. The controller thenprocesses a received emergency signal to determine the identity of theindividual within the building requiring emergency assistance based onthe unique transponder identification.

Each transponder may periodically transmit a wireless status signalcontaining the unique identification of the transponder. In this case,each transceiver wirelessly receives status signals transmitted bytransponders located within the vicinity of the transceiver. Eachtransceiver transmits received status signals along with the uniquetransceiver identification to the communication link. The controllerreceives status signals transmitted from the transceivers via thecommunication link and processes the received status signals todetermine the location and identity of the individuals within thebuilding based on the unique transponder identification and the uniquetransceiver identifications.

The transponders may transmit the wireless status signalsasynchronously, and may transmit the wireless status and emergencysignals using radio-frequency communications or infrared communications.

Each transceiver may listen for audio information in the vicinity of thetransceiver upon receiving an emergency signal transmitted by atransponder located within the vicinity of the transceiver. Thetransceivers then provide the audio information to the controller viathe communication link.

Each transceiver may view visual audio information in the vicinity ofthe transceiver upon receiving an emergency signal transmitted by atransponder located within the vicinity of the transceiver. Thetransceivers then provide the visual information to the controller viathe communication link.

Each transceiver may measure signal strength of a received emergencysignal and then transmit information indicative of the signal strengthof a received emergency signal to the communication link. The controllerthen processes a received emergency signal to determine the location ofthe individual within the building requiring emergency assistance basedon the unique identifications of the transceivers transmitting theemergency signal and the signal strengths of the emergency signalreceived by the transceivers transmitting the emergency signal.

The controller may include a display monitor which displays a floor planof the building. The display monitor displays an icon on the displayedfloor plan indicative of the determined location of the individualrequiring emergency assistance in response to the controller processinga received emergency signal.

Further, in carrying out the above object and other objects, the presentinvention provides an associated method of directing relief toindividuals in a building requiring emergency assistance.

The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment(s) when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a general perspective view of a monitoring system inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the monitoring system inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a transponder for use in themonitoring system of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a controller for use in themonitoring system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a general perspective view and a blockdiagram of a monitoring system 10 in accordance with the presentinvention are shown. In general, monitoring system 10 is operable fordetermining, for example, the location and identity of individuals 11within a building 20 such as a school or prison. Monitoring system 10 isfurther operable for receiving a request for assistance from adistressed individual and for directing relief personnel 19 to thelocation of the distressed individual within building 20. In additionfor use within a building 20, monitoring system 10 may be used inrailroad, factory floors, and other environments.

Monitoring system 10 generally includes a plurality of transponders 12,a plurality of transceivers 14, at least one controller 16, and aplurality of pagers 18. Individuals 11 within a building 20 carry arespective transponder 12. Transceivers 14 are mounted to the walls andthe ceilings of building 20 at known locations. Transponders 12communicate asynchronously with transceivers 14 using wireless signalssuch as radio frequency (RF) and infrared signals.

Communication lines 22 (FIG. 2) running within building 20 such asstandard 10-Base-T local area network (LAN) communication lines connecttransceivers 14 to controller 16. Transceivers 14 and controller 16 maybe connected in series with communication lines 22 as shown in FIG. 2.Transceivers 14 may be powered from communication lines 22. Controller16 may be positioned within or outside of building 20. Controller 16communicates with relief personnel 19 carrying pagers 18 using wirelesssignals in order to direct the relief personnel to an individualrequesting relief. Controller 16 communicates with relief personnelwithin or outside of building 20.

Transponders 12 have identification numbers which uniquely identify eachtransponder. Individuals 11 within building 20 are assigned and carrytheir own personal transponder 12. Consequently, the transponderidentification numbers uniquely identify each individual. Likewise,transceivers 14 have identification numbers which uniquely identify eachtransceiver. As a result, the identity and the location of eachtransceiver 14 in building 20 are known information.

As shown in FIG. 3, with continual reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, eachtransponder 12 is a credit card sized device which is worn on theclothing of an individual or an inanimate moving object (collectivelyherein “individual”). Each transponder 12 is a small size ofapproximately 75×50×6 mm and made of a high impact resistance material.Each transponder 12 includes a housing 23 having an emergency button 24,a status indicator 26 such as a light emitting diode (LED), and abattery 28, such as a lithium battery, for powering the transponder. Anindividual 11 depresses emergency button 24 when that individualrequires assistance. Emergency button 24 has a good tactile feel andrequires sufficient force to deter false activation. Preferably, thelife of battery 28 is greater than one year. Transponders 12 maycommunicate wireless signals with transceivers 14 using, for example,the 900 MHz spread spectrum ISM band.

Transponders 12 operate in two states: inactive (status) and active(emergency). In the inactive state, a transponder 12 generates a statusmessage at a low periodic rate, such as once per minute. The statusmessage includes the transponder identification number. The statusmessage may also include information indicative of the functioningability of the transponder, such as the available amount of batterypower. Transponder 12 transmits a wireless status message signal as soonas the transponder generates the status message.

Transceivers 14 within the vicinity of transponder 12 receive thetransmitted wireless status message signal. Each transceiver 14receiving the status message signal transmits the status message signalover communication line 22 to controller 16. Controller 16 thenprocesses the status message signal to analyze the information regardingthe functioning ability of the transponder to determine if thetransponder is functioning properly.

Controller 16 further analyzes the status message signal to determinethe location and the identity of individual 11 carrying transponder 12.Controller 16 determines the location and the identity of individual 11carrying transponder 12 by initially associating the status messagesignal with each transceiver 14 that transmitted the status messagesignal to the controller. Controller 16 generally determines thelocation within building 20 of individual 11 carrying transponder 12 byassociating the known locations of transceivers 14 transmitting thestatus message signal to the controller with the location of theindividual. For instance, if a transceiver 14 located at a first knownlocation within building 20 such as a school classroom 21 transmits thestatus message signal generated by transponder 12 to controller 16, thenthe controller generally determines that the location of individual 11carrying the transponder is this school classroom. Controller 16determines the identity of individual 11 carrying transponder 12 bymatching the transponder identification number with the individualassigned to that transponder.

Transponder 12 switches to the active state in response to individual 11pressing emergency button 24 of the transponder. Individual 11 pressesemergency button 24 when the individual wants assistance from reliefpersonnel in view of an emergency. For instance, a fight breaking out inthe classroom. In the active state, transponder 12 generates anemergency message continuously or frequently during a predetermined timeperiod. The emergency message includes information indicative ofindividual 11 desiring assistance along with the transponderidentification number. Transponder 12 transmits a wireless emergencymessage signal as soon as the transponder generates the emergencymessage.

Like wireless status message signals, transceivers 14 within thevicinity of transponder 12 receive the transmitted wireless emergencymessage signal. Each transceiver 14 receiving the emergency messagesignal transmits the emergency message signal over communication line 22to controller 16. In response to receiving the emergency message signal,controller 16 is made aware that individual 11 assigned to transponder12 which generated the emergency message signal needs assistance in viewof an emergency. Controller 16 then processes the emergency messagesignal to determine the location and the identity of distressedindividual 11 carrying transponder 12. As before, controller 16determines the location of distressed individual 11 by analyzing whichtransceivers 14 transmitted the emergency message signal to thecontroller. Based on the known locations of these transceivers 14,controller 16 can determine an approximate location of the distressedindividual. Controller 16 also determines the identity of distressedindividual 11 by matching the transponder identification number with theindividual assigned to-transponder 12.

Upon determining the location and identity of distressed individual 11,controller 16 generates a relief signal indicative of the location andidentity of the distressed individual. Controller 16 then encodes therelief signal as an alpha numeric pager relief signal. Controller 16then directly or indirectly transmits the encoded relief signal topagers 18 carried by relief personnel 19. For instance, controller 16may directly transmit the wireless encoded relief signal to pagers 18.Controller 16 may also indirectly transmit the wireless encoded reliefsignal to pagers 18 via a computer network such as the Internet.Controller 16 may also transmit the encoded relief signal to pagers 18carried by a subset of relief personnel 19 while not transmitting theencoded relief signal to pagers 18 carried by other relief personnel.

Controller 16 may also transmit the encoded relief signal totransceivers 14 over communication line 22. Transceivers 14 thenwirelessly transmit the encoded relief signals for reception by pagers18. Transceivers 14 may also generate audio/visual information regardingan emergency in response to receiving relief signals from controller 16and/or in response to receiving an emergency message signal from atransponder 12. For instance, in response to receiving an emergencymessage signal and/or a relief signal, each transceiver 14 may use amicrophone to listen for audio information in the vicinity of thetransceiver and/or a camera to view visual information in the vicinityof the transceiver. Transceivers 14 provide the audio/visual informationto controller 16 via communications lines 22.

In response to receiving the wireless encoded relief signal, pagers 18generate an alarm to notify relief personnel 19 that assistance isrequired. Pagers 18 then convert and display the encoded relief signalinto alpha numeric text for the relief personnel to read. The text isindicative of the location and identity of the distressed individual. Inresponse to reading the text on pagers 18, relief personnel 19 go to thelocation of the distressed individual in order to resolve the emergency.

As described above, transponders 12 communicate with controller 16through a network of wall/ceiling mounted transceivers 14. Transceivers14 include radio receivers which are interconnected by communicationline 22 to controller 16. Transceivers 14 relay every message signalthat they receive (either status or emergency message signals) fromtransponders 12 onto communication line 22. In addition, transceivers 14make an estimation of the distance to transponder 12 that originated amessage signal, and then append this measurement to each receivedmessage signal. Generally, transceivers 14 make an estimation of thedistance to transponder 12 that originated a message signal by measuringthe signal strength of the received message signal. Such a measurementof signal strength may include making multiple measurements. Controller16 may then use the distance measurement appended to the message signalto determine the location of transponder 12 that originated the messagesignal. In this manner, controller 16 determines the location ofindividual 11 carrying transponder 12 by analyzing the known locationsof each transceiver 14 that transmitted the received message signalsalong with the distance measurements.

Transceivers 14 may also make an estimation of the distance totransponder 12 that originated a message signal using other strategies.For instance, if the time that transponder 12 originated a messagesignal and the time that the transceiver 14 received the message signalare known, then the transceiver can determine the distance as a functionof the difference of the transmission and arrival times. Transceivers 14may also include a transmitter for communicating beacon signals with atransponder 12 to determine the distance between the transponder and thetransceivers.

In case no message signals are being received by transceivers 14, thetransceivers transmit “nothing received” status message signals tocontroller 16 via communication line 22. In this way, controller 16 canmake sure that all of the transceivers 14 are functioning properly.

Transceivers 14 each have a small size and are made of high impactresistant material. The power requirements of transceivers 14 are 5V at150 mA DC. Transceivers 14 are self checking and transmit a transceiverdiagnostic signal to controller 16 via communication line 22 in casethat the transceiver fails a self checking diagnostic test. This allowscontroller 16 to be notified of any problems with transceivers 14 sothat the problems can be remedied.

As shown in FIG. 4, with continual reference to FIGS. 1 and 2,controller 16 includes a computer server 30, a database 32, atransceiver 34, a display monitor 36, and a printer 38. Server 30 isoperable to control database 32, transceiver 34, display monitor 36, andprinter 38. Server 30 communicates with all transceivers 14 usingcommunication line 22 to receive the transponder signals (status oremergency message signals). Transceiver 34 is operable for transmittingencoded relief signals to pagers 18 of relief personnel 19.

Database 32 stores individual 11, transponder 12, transceiver 14, andpager 18 information. The individual information includes the identityand perhaps unique characteristics of each individual assigned atransponder 12. The transponder information includes the transponderidentification number of each transponder 12 assigned to an individual.The transponder information further includes updated informationregarding the current location of each transponder 12 along with thecurrent status of each transponder. The transponder information furtherincludes a list matching each individual with their assignedtransponder. Accordingly, database 32 stores the current location ofeach individual carrying their assigned transponder.

The transceiver information includes the transceiver identificationnumber of each transceiver along with the known location of eachtransceiver. These two lists are matched such that each transceiver andtheir location are known by controller 16. The transceiver informationfurther includes the current status of each transceiver along withhistorical status information.

The pager information includes the identity of each relief personnel 19assigned a pager 18. The pager information further includes a pageridentification number for each pager 18 so that controller 16 knowswhich relief personnel to deploy in view of an emergency.

Display monitor 36 is operable for displaying the floor plan of building20 along with the location and identity of individuals 11 within thebuilding and updates same as status message signals are received. Whenan individual 11 requests relief, display monitor 36 displays thelocation and identity of the individual requesting relief and updatessame as emergency message signals are received. For instance, displaymonitor 36 displays the distressed individual in red while displayingthe other individuals in blue.

Display monitor 36 also displays the status of each transponder 12 andtransceiver 14. For example, if a transponder 12 has weak battery powerthen display monitor 36 displays this information so that the problemcan be remedied. Similarly, if a transceiver 14 is not functioningproperly, i.e., failed a diagnostic check, then display monitor 36displays this information as well.

In the case of an emergency, display monitor 36 displays an iconrepresenting the distressed individual on the floor plan at thedistressed individual's relative location along with a running clock ofthe duration of the emergency. Controller 16 may also announce theemergency by activating emergency alarms throughout building 20. Oncethe emergency is cleared by relief personnel, then display monitor 36removes the icon representing the distressed individual.

In the case when there is no emergency, but a transponder 12 or atransceiver 14 has failed, display monitor 36 displays the location andidentification of the failed units using indicia distinguishable fromthe emergency indicia. Controller 16 may also activate a diagnosticalarm when such a failure occurs. When there is no emergency or failedunits, display monitor 36 displays an “all clear” screen.

Upon termination of an emergency, printer 38 prints a report includingdate, time, individual 11 who signaled the emergency, and reliefpersonnel 19 who cleared the emergency. Controller 16 is furtheroperable for allowing a system setup including enrollment of individualsand transceivers using display screen 36. This system setup is onlyallowable by a system administrator using a password.

Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with thepresent invention, a monitoring method and system that fully satisfy theobjects, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the presentinvention has been described in conjunction with specific embodimentsthereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of theforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all suchalternatives.

1. A system for directing relief to individuals in a building requiringemergency assistance, the system comprising: a plurality oftransponders, wherein each individual in the building carries arespective transponder, each transponder transmitting a wirelessemergency signal in response to actuation by the individual carrying thetransponder; a hard wired communication link running throughout thebuilding; a plurality of transceivers located at known locations withinthe building, each transceiver connected with the communication link,each transceiver having a unique identification, each transceiverwirelessly receiving an emergency signal transmitted by a transponderlocated within the vicinity of the transceiver, each transceivertransmitting the received emergency signal along with the uniquetransceiver identification to the communication link; and a controllerconnected with the communication link for receiving emergency signalstransmitted from the transceivers, the controller processing a receivedemergency signal to determine the location of the individual within thebuilding requiring emergency assistance based on the uniqueidentifications of the transceivers transmitting the emergency signal,wherein the controller directs relief to the determined location of theindividual requiring emergency assistance.
 2. The system of claim 1wherein: the hard wired communication link is a local area network (LAN)communication link.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein: the controllerdirects relief by transmitting a paging signal to relief personnel, thepaging signal including information indicative of the location of theindividual requiring emergency assistance.
 4. The system of claim 1wherein: each transponder has a unique identification such that theindividual carrying the transponder is uniquely identified, wherein thewireless emergency signal transmitted by the transponder contains theunique transponder identification, wherein the controller processes areceived emergency signal to determine the identity of the individualwithin the building requiring emergency assistance based on the uniquetransponder identification.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein: eachtransponder periodically transmits a wireless status signal containingthe unique identification of the transponder, wherein each transceiverwirelessly receives status signals transmitted by transponders locatedwithin the vicinity of the transceiver, each transceiver transmittingreceived status signals along with the unique transceiver identificationto the communication link, wherein the controller receives statussignals transmitted from the transceivers via the communication link. 6.The system of claim 5 wherein: the controller processes the receivedstatus signals to determine the location and identity of the individualswithin the building based on the unique transponder identification andthe unique transceiver identifications.
 7. The system of claim 5wherein: the transponders transmit the wireless status signalsasynchronously.
 8. The system of claim 5 wherein: the transponderstransmit the wireless status and emergency signals using radio-frequencycommunications.
 9. The system of claim 5 wherein: the transponderstransmit the wireless status and emergency signals using infraredcommunications.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein: each transceiverlistens for audio information in the vicinity of the transceiver uponreceiving an emergency signal transmitted by a transponder locatedwithin the vicinity of the transceiver, wherein the transceivers providethe audio information to the controller via the communication link. 11.The system of claim 1 wherein: each transceiver views visual audioinformation in the vicinity of the transceiver upon receiving anemergency signal transmitted by a transponder located within thevicinity of the transceiver, wherein the transceivers provide the visualinformation to the controller via the communication link.
 12. The systemof claim 1 wherein: each transceiver measures signal strength of areceived emergency signal, wherein each transceiver transmitsinformation indicative of the signal strength of a received emergencysignal to the communication link, wherein the controller processes areceived emergency signal to determine the location of the individualwithin the building requiring emergency assistance based on the uniqueidentifications of the transceivers transmitting the emergency signaland the signal strengths of the emergency signal received by thetransceivers transmitting the emergency signal.
 13. The system of claim1 wherein: the controller includes a display monitor which displays afloor plan of the building, the display monitor displaying an icon onthe displayed floor plan indicative of the determined location of theindividual requiring emergency assistance in response to the controllerprocessing a received emergency signal.
 14. A system for monitoring thelocation and identity of individuals within a building and for directingrelief to those individuals requiring emergency assistance, the systemcomprising: a plurality of transponders, wherein each individual carriesa respective transponder, each transponder having a uniqueidentification such that the individual carrying the transponder isuniquely identified, each transponder periodically transmitting awireless status signal containing the unique transponder identification,each transponder transmitting a wireless emergency signal containing theunique transponder identification in response to actuation by theindividual carrying the transponder; a hard wired communication linkrunning throughout the building; a plurality of transceivers located atknown locations within the building, each transceiver connected inseries with the communication link, each transceiver having a uniqueidentification, each transceiver wirelessly receiving status andemergency signals transmitted by transponders located within thevicinity of the transceiver, each transceiver transmitting receivedstatus and emergency signals along with the unique transceiveridentification to the communication link; and a controller connectedwith the communication link for receiving status and emergency signalstransmitted from the transceivers, the controller processing thereceived status and emergency signals to determine the location andidentity of the individuals within the building based on the uniquetransponder identification and the unique transceiver identifications,wherein the controller directs relief to individuals requiring emergencyassistance based on the emergency signals received from the transponderscarried by those individuals.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein: thehard wired communication link is a local area network (LAN)communication link.
 16. A method of directing relief to individuals in abuilding requiring emergency assistance, the building having a hardwired communication link running throughout the building, the methodcomprising: each individual in the building carrying a respectivetransponder; transmitting a wireless emergency signal from a transponderin response to actuation by the individual carrying the transponder;providing a plurality of transceivers at known locations within thebuilding, each transceiver having a unique identification; connectingeach transceiver with the communication link, wirelessly receiving withthe transceivers an emergency signal transmitted by a transponderlocated within the vicinity of the transceivers; transmitting from thetransceivers the received emergency signal along with the uniquetransceiver identification that received the emergency signal to thecommunication link; connecting a controller with the communication link;receiving with the controller the emergency signals transmitted from thetransceivers via the communication link; processing with the controllera received emergency signal to determine the location of the individualwithin the building requiring emergency assistance based on the uniqueidentifications of the transceivers transmitting the emergency signal;and directing relief to the determined location of the individualrequiring emergency assistance.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein: thehard wired communication link is a local area network (LAN)communication link.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein: the step ofdirecting relief includes transmitting a paging signal from thecontroller to relief personnel, the paging signal including informationindicative of the location of the individual requiring emergencyassistance.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein: each transponder has aunique identification such that the individual carrying the transponderis uniquely identified, wherein the wireless emergency signaltransmitted by the transponder contains the unique transponderidentification.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein: the step ofprocessing with the controller a received emergency signal includesdetermining the identity of the individual within the building requiringemergency assistance based on the unique transponder identification. 21.A method of directing relief to individuals requiring emergencyassistance located in a building having a local area network (LAN)running throughout the building, said method comprising the steps of:disposing an individual in the building carrying a transponder having aunique identification and having an emergency button for activation bythe individual; disposing a plurality of transceivers having a uniqueidentification at known locations within the building; establishingcommunication between the transponder and the transceivers via radiofrequencies; connecting each of the transceivers with the LAN;connecting a controller via the LAN for storing individual informationassociated with the transponder and the unique identification for thetransponder and the transceiver; establishing communication between eachof the transceivers and the controller over the LAN; activating thetransponder by pressing the emergency button; transmitting an emergencyradio frequency (RE) signal from the transponder including the uniqueidentification of the transponder in response to the individualactivating the transponder; detecting the emergency RF signal with atleast one of the transceivers located within the vicinity of thetransponder; transmitting a hardwire emergency signal from thetransceiver detecting the emergency RE signal over the LAN to thecontroller including the unique identification of the transceiver andthe unique identification of the transponder; receiving the hardwireemergency signal with the controller via the LAN; determining theindividual information based upon the unique identification of thetransponder and the location of the individual within the building basedon the unique identification of the transceiver detecting the emergencyRE signal; and transmitting a paging signal including locationinformation of the emergency from the controller to relief personnel fordirecting relief to the vicinity of the transponder emitting theemergency RF signal.
 22. A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein thestep of transmitting the paging signal is further defined astransmitting an alpha numeric page to a pager carried by the reliefpersonnel.
 23. A method as set forth in claim 22 further comprising thestep of converting the alpha numeric page into text to indicate thelocation of the emergency to the relief personnel.
 24. A method as setforth in claim 21 further comprising the step of activating anmicrophone in the vicinity of the transceiver detecting the emergency RFsignal to record audio of the emergency.
 25. A method as set forth inclaim 21 further comprising the step of activating a camera in thevicinity of the transceiver detecting the emergency RF signal to recordvideo of the emergency.